Arts: Free Movement of People:Written question - 194612

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had discussions with the Home Secretary on preserving freedom of movement for people in the performance and production of creative works sector after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister has been clear that as we leave the EU, free movement of people will end. A new, skills-based immigration system will be introduced to ensure we continue to attract the talented people we need.

We know that continued access to international talent and skills is a key concern for the creative industries as we leave the EU. The UK recognises that mobility is important to the creative and cultural sector, with the inclusion of a specific reference to the importance of mobility for creative, cultural and sporting cooperation in the White Paper on the Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The government will set out further detail on the UK’s future immigration system in due course, taking into account the findings of the Migration Advisory Committee. Any future mobility arrangements agreed on a reciprocal basis with the EU will be consistent with ending free movement, and my department will continue to work closely with the Home Office to ensure the needs of the creative industries are heard.